People v. Lara

Defendant, 18-year-old Gabriel Lara, was charged by indictment with the offense of first degree murder. Following a bench trial, the trial court entered a finding of guilty and sentenced defendant to 22 years in prison. Defendant appeals.

On December 9,1993, the victim, 22-year-old Hector Ramos, drove several coworkers home from Wauconda. After stopping to drop off a passenger, Hector drove into an alley near Augusta Boulevard around 6 p.m. and encountered a van proceeding toward his station wagon. Hector, unable to drive around this van, reversed and backed to the end of the alley. At that…